Susac and Vielma optioned, Sisco wins job (O's win 6-1)

SARASOTA, Fla. - If the Orioles stick with their camp roster, Chance Sisco will serve as the backup catcher on opening day.

The Orioles announced today that they've optioned catcher Andrew Susac and infielder Engelb Vielma to Triple-A Norfolk. They already sent out Austin Wynns, leaving Sisco as the last catching reserve standing.

Sisco had a two-run double and two-run homer yesterday in a 10-7 win over the Red Sox and is batting .419/.471/.839 (13-for-31) with five doubles, one triple, two home runs and 10 RBIs in 16 games. He committed a throwing error yesterday that led to an unearned run off Mike Wright Jr. and made a poor throw on a rundown, but the Orioles will continue his defensive education in the majors.

One of the top prospects in the organization, Sisco made his major league debut in September and went 6-for-18 with two doubles, two home runs, four RBIs, three walks and seven strikeouts. He turned 23 last month.

Caleb Joseph will get most of the starts behind the plate and the Orioles will figure out how to work in Sisco, who could serve on occasion as designated hitter while Mark Trumbo is on the disabled list. His left-handed bat certainly fits on a roster that leans heavily to the right.

Sisco batted .267/.340/.395 last summer in 97 games at Triple-A Norfolk. He hit .320/.406/.422 the previous year in 112 games with Double-A Bowie.

Susac, acquired from the Brewers on Feb. 2, got a late start this spring after being hospitalized with a staph infection. He went 6-for-13 with one double, one home run and four RBIs in 14 games.

The Orioles are expected to pair up Wynns and Susac at Norfolk and Audry Perez and Martin Cervenka at Bowie.

Vielma went 4-for-26 (.154) with one triple and three RBIs in 20 games. The Orioles acquired him from the Giants on Jan. 26 and view him as solid middle infield depth based on his defensive skills. He wasn't signed to lead the league in hitting.

Luis Sardiñas remains in camp as a utility candidate with Ruben Tejada, Erick Salcedo and Vielma cut from the camp roster. Danny Valencia could be handed the job. The Orioles retain interest in Ryan Flaherty, released by the Phillies earlier this week.

Thirty-five players remain on the camp roster, including closer Zach Britton, Trumbo and pitchers Gabriel Ynoa and Alex Cobb. The foursome will be removed before the Orioles set their opening day roster.

Update: Mallex Smith tripled in the third inning and scored on Kean Wong's infield hit to give Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead. Dylan Bundy has struck out four batters in three innings.

Update II: The Orioles managed only one hit in four innings against Ryan Weber, but Caleb Joseph had a two-run single off Colton Murray in the fifth and Chris Davis followed with a two-run homer to right field for a 4-1 lead.

Bundy allowed one run and five hits in five innings, with one walk and six strikeouts.

Update III: Trey Mancini hit a two-run homer to right field in the sixth after Craig Gentry's leadoff double and the Orioles lead 6-1. Darren O'Day allowed a hit, hit a batter and got two called third strikes in a scoreless top of the sixth.

Update IV: The Orioles win 6-1.